Learn How to Preach and Teach While Eating Dessert!

Mike Hosey, An Elder

There is a distinct difference between the words “teach” and “preach.”  These two communication activities serve two different purposes, and are different in more than just form.  Usually, when we think of these terms we imagine preaching as a louder version of teaching.  But it’s not that at all.  Preaching is simply an evangelism activity in which someone proclaims good news. That’s actually its meaning in Greek. Go ahead, look it up (Euaggelizo, Strongs G2097).  Teaching, on the other hand means to instruct by word of mouth. Inherent in its meaning is a deliberate and measured increase in knowledge and understanding for the pupil being taught. Go ahead, look that one up too (Didasko, Strongs G1321). Notice how in English the words look very similar, but in Greek they are completely different!

We also tend to think differently about where these two activities occur. We tend to think of preaching as occurring pretty much in only two distinct places. Preaching usually conjures up images of someone standing on a street corner calling down fire and brimstone, or it conjures up images of someone standing in a church’s pulpit hollering at everyone about how they are going to hell.  In contrast, we think of teaching as quietly happening in a seminary, Sunday school classroom, college class, or beneath the tutelage of a professor.

In reality, both of these activities can, and do, occur everywhere.  But the place they occurred most in the New Testament church was in the homes of people.  Notice in Acts 5:42, how the disciples engaged in preaching and teaching in both the Jewish temple, and in the homes of people. As you read through Acts, you find that most of that activity occurred in homes rather than in the temple.  The reason for this is pretty easy to understand once you think about it.  Homes are where people are comfortable.  Homes are where people feel free to express themselves.  And most importantly, homes are where people are able to dialogue!  When a pastor says something from the pulpit, it’s a one way communication activity.  When he says something at your friend’s house, while you are sharing a dessert and coffee, you are able to ask questions, share about your own experiences, and explore context.  He can share what God has done for him on that day, you can ask questions about it, and he can then instruct you on what it all means. Amazingly, the reverse can also happen! But even more great than that, is when a group of people meet in a home, and wisdom can flow from many sources, be checked by many sources, and the church can be built in a loving, caring environment!